The Caves of Nerja are a series of caverns close to the town of Nerja in Andalucia. Stretching for almost 5 km the caverns are one of Spain’s major tourist attractions.

43,000 years ago, Neanderthals entered the cave of Nerja (Málaga), a place with huge domes covered with stalactites. In the interior were found drawing on the walls of a great archaeological value.

The oldest samples are taken to pieces at the bottom of those bulging paintings that, according to scholars of the cave, representing six seals. Nerja Caves are one of the most important Prehistoric archaeological sites on the western Mediterranean. Dating back some five million years, they are notable for the large chambers filled with stalactites and stalagmites, and the immense length, over 4,000 metres. It is possible to explore some of the chambers and caverns not yet open to the public by joining a speleological group, consisting of a maximum 10 people over the age of 14. No special physical skills are necessary.

Scientists investigating cave fauna have recently discovered species that were thought to be extinct in the caves. Amongst these, in areas not open to the public, are scarab beetles and blind scorpions. Alberto Atinavt, department head at the University of Granada, is carrying out studies on the interior and exterior micro fauna of the cave.